According to the Aadhaar Act of 2016, any individual who qualifies as a resident Indian under the Act is eligible to obtain an Aadhaar card. A resident, as defined in the Act, is someone who has resided in India for at least 182 days in the preceding 12 months. Therefore, the new Aadhaar Act for NRIs permits Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), PIO, and OCI cardholders to apply for an Aadhaar number. 

The government has simplified the NRI Aadhaar card application process to expedite KYC procedures for NRIs upon their arrival in India. Before May 2020, NRIs had to wait 182 days after arriving in India to apply for AADHAAR as residents. Since May 2020, all NRIs, including children, can apply upon arrival with a valid Indian Passport, removing the 182-day wait for resident status.

AADHAAR CARD FOR NRIS:

AADHAAR IMPORTANCE FOR NRIS:

1. Streamlined KYC procedures: Possessing an Aadhaar or e-Aadhaar expedites KYC processes for various transactions within the country.

2. Widely accepted identity proof: The Aadhaar card is widely recognized as a valid identity proof for various tasks, such as property-related documentation or opening bank accounts. In the government sector, an Aadhaar card for NRIs is particularly essential when applying for a job.

3. Income Tax Returns: Enrolling under Aadhaar is necessary for NRIs to file Income Tax Returns, as mandated by Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This simplifies the entire ITR filing process.

AADHAAR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR NRIS:

1. The applicant must be over 3 years old.

2. NRIs must possess a valid Indian passport. Previously, there was a requirement of a minimum 182 consecutive days’ stay in India before applying for Aadhaar card enrollment for foreigners and NRIs. However, this condition no longer applies to NRIs after the Union Budget 2019.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR AADHAAR APPLICATION NRIS:

1. Any valid photo ID proof such as Passport, voter ID, PAN card, driving license, or ration card.

2. Documents confirming your non-resident Indian status including all necessary proofs establishing your connection with another country.

3. A Passport, utility bill, or photo ID with your address details for address proof. If your passport lacks an Indian address, you can submit other UIDAI-approved address proof documents.

4. A valid certificate proving your date of birth, such as the actual birth certificate or 10th standard marksheet.

5. A revised application form with a modified declaration for NRIs is attached as Annexure.

6. As proof of their residence status in another country, authorities may ask NRIs to provide additional documents, such as a photocopy of a stamped visa or work permit. Carry the original documents for verification.

AADHAAR ENROLLMENT PROCESS FOR NRIS:

1: Book an appointment online via the official portal of the UIDAI. 

2. Click on “My Aadhaar” and select “Book an Appointment” from the drop-down menu. 

3. Choose your location in India and click on “Proceed to Book an Appointment.” 

4. Enter your Indian mobile number and the security code and click on “Generate OTP.”

5. You can also enter your email ID if the security code is unavailable, and hit “Send OTP”.

6. On the next page, select an appointment slot to complete the procedure.

7. You can also visit an Aadhaar centre in person to book a biometric appointment if you are in India. NRIs can schedule an appointment even before arriving in India.

8. Visit the UIDAI enrolment centre where UIDAI officials will verify your documents. You will need to provide your biometric details, including all ten fingers’ impressions and iris scans of both eyes.

9. Finally, they will click a passport-sized photo of yours through a webcam. The picture will be printed on your Aadhaar card.

10. After verification, your Aadhaar card will be sent to your registered address in India. The process may take up to 90 days after enrolment.

11. Finally, the applicant will receive an acknowledgment slip with a unique Enrolment ID and Date & Time Stamp, which can be used to verify aadhaar enrolment status, collect the approved aadhaar via India Post, and download e-aadhaar from the internet.

After applying for Aadhaar you can access the E-Aadhaar, which replicates all details from the physical card. NRIs can use e-Aadhaar as a unique identifier and KYC document for financial and regulatory transactions.

AADHAAR APPLICATION FOR NRI CHILDREN: 

1. For children below 5 years old:

• One parent must authenticate on behalf of the child.
• Consent should be given by signing the enrolment form.
• A valid Indian passport of the child is required as proof of identity.

2. For children between 5-18 years old:

• The same criteria as mentioned above apply.

MORE INFORMATION ON AADHAAR FOR NRIS:

1. An Aadhaar card is not mandatory for NRIs, but it can simplify and expedite various processes in the country.

2. It does not serve as proof of Indian citizenship, and compliance with other requirements is necessary for foreigners to stay in the country.

3. NRIs are not obligated to link their bank accounts with Aadhaar if they do not intend to avail benefits under section 7 of the Aadhaar Act.

4. For identification purposes, NRIs can use their Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, or mAadhaar profile if they don’t have the physical Aadhaar card.

5. While Aadhaar is a comprehensive document, additional verifications may be conducted by authorities to ensure accuracy and prevent discrepancies.

AADHAAR CARD FOR OCIS:

AADHAAR IMPORTANCE FOR OCIS:

1. Aadhaar or e-Aadhaar facilitates KYC procedures for all transactions within India for OCIs.

2. It is widely accepted as an identity document for various operations such as NRI bank account opening, property-related documentation, and job applications.

3. For OCIs filing income tax returns, enrolling under Aadhaar as per Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961, is mandatory to streamline the ITR filing process.

AADHAAR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR OCIS:

1. The applicant must be at least 3 years old to apply for an Aadhaar card.

2. Applicants are required to possess a valid OCI card.

3. OCI cardholders must have stayed in India for over 182 consecutive days in the twelve months prior to applying for Aadhaar enrolment.

4. An Indian address is necessary for applying for an Aadhaar card in India.

5. If an OCI has not stayed in India for 180 days or more in the last 12 months, they will not be eligible for an Aadhaar card.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR AADHAAR APPLICATION OCIS: 

1. You can provide any of the following as a valid photo ID – OCI card, OCI or NRI PAN card, or driving license.

2. You must submit relevant documents that establish your connection with another country, such as a passport or OCI card.

3. For address proof, you can use a utility bill or a photo ID with your address details.

4. Birth Certificate: Your birth certificate with date of birth information or any other recognized document containing your date of birth is required.

AADHAAR ENROLLMENT PROCESS FOR OCIS:

1. Visit the official UIDAI website and choose ‘My Aadhaar,’ then select ‘Book an Appointment.’

2. Provide your India phone number, generate OTP, or use email if necessary.

3. Select an available appointment slot for the procedure.

4. Alternatively, OCIs can visit an Aadhaar center in India to book a biometric appointment.

5. Online or offline Aadhaar card applications require your physical presence at the appointment.

6. OCIs must submit specific documents specified by UIDAI for Aadhaar enrollment. Bring photocopies and originals to the enrollment center.

7. Visit the Aadhaar enrollment center for biometric verification. UIDAI officials will scan all ten fingers and irises for the government’s database.

8. A passport-sized photo will be taken and pasted on the Aadhaar card. The collected data generates a unique ID to ensure card authenticity.

After completion, your demographic and biometric information will be linked to generate your Aadhaar number, and the physical card will be sent to your address.

MORE INFORMATION ON AADHAAR FOR OCIS:

1. OCIs can apply for a PAN card without an Aadhaar card by filling out form 49AA available for download from official websites of UTIITSL, Protean eGov Technologies Limited, or NSDL’s e-Governance website.

2. Department of Telecommunications, the Government of India exempts OCIs from linking Aadhaar with their Indian mobile numbers.

3. An Aadhaar card for OCIs can be used to complete KYC procedures for different transactions in India.

AADHAAR CARD FOR OTHER FOREIGNERS:

AADHAAR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (LTV, NEPAL & BHUTAN, RESIDENT FOREIGN NATIONALS):

1. Individuals belonging to minority communities in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, namely Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians, holding Long Term VISA (LTV).

2. Nepal and Bhutan nationals with valid passport or relevant documents.

3. Other resident foreigners who have stayed in India for over 182 days in the last one year.

4. Resident foreigners with a valid Registration Certificate or residential permit from FRRO/FRO and without an OCI card, LTV document, or being Nepal/Bhutan nationals.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR AADHAAR APPLICATION:

1. Long Term VISA (LTV) Document Holders: A valid Long Term VISA (LTV) document and valid/expired foreign passport can be used as both identity and address proof.

2. Nepal and Bhutan Nationals: 

   a. Passport of Nepal/Bhutan is acceptable as identity proof.

   b. Alternatively, you can submit any two of the following documents with the same address if the passport is not available:

• Bhutanese/Nepalese Citizenship Certificate
• Limited validity Photo Identity Certificate issued by Nepalese Mission/Royal Bhutanese Mission in India
• Voter Identity Card issued by the Election Commission of Bhutan/Nepal

3. Other Resident Foreigners: 

   a. For foreigners who have stayed in India for at least 182 days in the past year, a valid VISA and valid foreign passport serve as identity proof.

   b. Alternatively, resident foreigners (except OCI card holders, Nepal/Bhutan nationals, and LTV document holders) can present a valid Registration Certificate or Residential permit issued by FRRO/FRO as an address proof.

AADHAAR CARD APPLICATION PROCESS:

The steps for enrolling LTV holders, Nepal & Bhutan nationals, and other resident foreigners are as follows:

 1. Visit an Aadhaar Seva Kendra with or without an appointment (preferably book one in advance to avoid queues, learn how to do so online).

2. Bring relevant documents acceptable to UIDAI based on your applicant type.

3. Fill out the enrolment form, ensure to provide your email address (mandatory for NRIs), and sign the declaration.

4. Inform the operator about your specific category as an NRI/OCI cardholder/LTV holder/Nepal & Bhutan national, or other resident foreigner.

5. Undergo the biometric capture process.

6. Review and verify all details displayed on the screen (in English and local language) before allowing the operator to submit the information.

7. Obtain the enrolment/acknowledgment slip, which contains a 14-digit enrolment ID and date-time stamp. You can use this slip to check the Aadhaar Card Status online.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q. What is the importance of Aadhaar card for NRIs? 

A. Aadhaar card benefits NRIs for return/stay, speeds up KYC in India, widely accepted ID for banking, property, and job applications, mandatory for income tax filing.

Q. Can my spouse be enrolled based on my Aadhaar and passport? 

A. If the spouse is an NRI, a valid Indian passport is necessary as proof of identity. If the spouse is an Indian resident, any valid proof of relationship document (such as a passport with the spouse’s name) can be used for enrolment under the Head of Family. 

Q. Can I provide an international mobile number for my Aadhaar details? 

A. No, currently international mobile numbers are not supported for Aadhaar details. 

Q. My passport address is not updated. Can I provide my present address for my Aadhaar application? 

A. Yes, if your passport address is not updated, you can provide any supporting documents acceptable to UIDAI as proof of address for your Aadhaar application. 

Q. How long does it take to receive an Aadhaar card for NRIs, OCI cardholders, and other resident foreigners? 

A. It may take up to 90 days for an Aadhaar card to be delivered by post to the registered address of the resident. To check Aadhaar status online, CLICK HERE.

Q. Can NRIs, OCI cardholders, LTV holders, Nepal & Bhutan nationals, or other resident foreigners apply for an Aadhaar card from another country? 

A. No, they must be physically present in India to apply for an Aadhaar card.